Contracts worth more than £8 million have been won by Lewes-based security card manufacturer ID Data.

They have won contracts for the exclusive supply of cards for the country's largest loyalty programme.

Nectar, operated by Sainsbury's, Barclaycard, Debenhams and BP, expects to sign up more than half of UK households in its first year.

The Nectar scheme allows a single loyalty card to earn points in a common rewards currency.

It started yesterday when UK shoppers were able to start earning Nectar points at 1,800 outlets. Purchases made by Barclaycard at any of the three retailers' outlets will earn points twice.

The scheme will be operated by Loyalty Management UK.

ID Data chief executive Peter Cox said: "The mandate is for end-to-end delivery of the card and launch pack in conjunction with our lead partner, WAVV Rapp Collins."